Currently used for chronic pain, sleeping problems and even in skincare, this new research shows that CBD could also pave the way for a new class of antibiotics.
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Recent research has shown that the non-psychoactive component synthetic cannabidiol, or CBD, can kill bacteria linked to several superbugs including gonorrhoea, meningitis and legionnaires.
The study could lead to a new class of antibiotics
The lab studies were carried out by the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience in collaboration with Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited and showed that CBD could be the key ingredient for the first new class of antibiotics in 60 years.
Dr Mark Blaskovich, Director of the IMB, stated that the cannabis component can penetrate and kill a range of superbug causing bacteria. This includes those responsible for gonorrhoea, an STI that is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics:
This is the first time CBD has been shown to kill some types of Gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria have an extra outer membrane, an additional line of defence that makes it harder for antibiotics to penetrate.
The study also concluded that cannabidiol can also be effective in killing the staph bacteria known as MRSA and can even help to treat diabetic ulcers. Blaskovich continued to state that these types of superbugs are also not resistant to CBD due to the way the chemical attacks the membrane. He added:
We think that cannabidiol kills bacteria by bursting their outer cell membranes, but we don't know yet exactly how it does that, and need to do further research.
The President and Executive Chairman of Botanix, Vince Ippolito recently spoke to Courier mail about the research and confirmed that further studies are now in progress to create a new and hopefully more effective version of the CBD:
We want something that doesn't break down in the body as quickly as CBD does. There's definitely potential there that CBD could be a prototypical representative of a new class of antibiotics.
What else can CBD be used for?
Research is still underway so we definitely don’t recommend using CBD as a ‘home remedy’ for any diseases. But, in case you were curious, the ingredient does have some other helpful uses including:
- Treatment of chronic pain
- Management of anxiety and depression
- Acne treatment
- Antipsychotic effects
- Substance abuse treatment
- Anti-tumor effects
- Diabetes prevention
- Neuroprotective properties
- Aids in heart health
- Can help alleviate cancer-related symptoms
However, if the use of CBD as a medicinal treatment interests you then it is imperative that you speak to a doctor about the possibilities, side effects as well as the legality of the treatment.
